Bath's Liberal Democrat politicians and campaigners have said why they back the party's new candidate for the upcoming general election.

Wera Hobhouse , who ran for the party in North East Somerset in the 2015 election, was chosen by party members today (May 1).

"She will be an amazing MP for the city," said Stephen Williams, the Lib Dem candidate in the West of England Metro Mayor election, which takes place this Thursday.

"She's a passionate pro-EU campaigner.

"Bath voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union.

"It will be a big issue in the election, it's why Theresa May's called it.

"In Bath we don't agree with Theresa May and Wera Hobhouse I'm sure is going to storm to victory on June 8."

Oldfield Park councillor on Bath and North East Somerset Council , Shaun Stephenson-McGall, praised the level of support and the speeches made at the selection meeting at Twerton Park.

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Mr McGall said: "It's been a really fantastic turnout today.

"We've had fantastic speeches from both candidates.

"Both, really, were on the same message and that's what we need to do to stop Theresa May having a majority.

"We need an MP here in Bath who will fight to ensure that we don't have a hard Brexit which the Conservatives are proposing.

"Also, we need to do something about local issues as well such as cuts to the NHS, the schools budget and air pollution.

"Those are the big factors here in Bath that people will be voting on.

"Wera Hobhouse will work hard, and we as a team will work to ensure that we have a Liberal Democrat MP again here in Bath."

His fellow Lib Dem Oldfield Park councillor Will Sandry, the city's former Mayor, added: "Absolutely, I'm delighted with our candidate - so pleased that we've got a great candidate for Bath in Wera Hobhouse."

Mrs Hobhouse was chosen ahead of Chris Lucas from Weston village.

Some 20 candidates applied for the role and it was narrowed down to just two.

Members put a cross by the name they wanted to be their party's candidate.

'It was a fair fight. You saw two candidates that we put before you and you selected Wera'

Mr Lucas was shortlisted for the candidacy in 2015 and said it was tough to come close and fall short again, but vowed to support his victor.

Addressing the room, he said: "Obviously it's incredibly difficult and tough to go through this motion again and come so close.

"But that's democracy for you.

"It was a fair fight. You saw two candidates that we put before you and you selected Wera.

"I know I'm going to be working as hard as I can to support her to win back Bath on June 8."